2010 Chrysler Town & Country Performance

Minivans aren't exactly known for being road rockets, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com list potent acceleration right alongside the comfortable ride when it comes to the Chrysler Town & Country's performance attributes.

For 2010, the same three V-6 engine options are available, which Edmunds lists as "a 3.3-liter V6 good for 175 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque," while more powerful options include "a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 197 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque" and "a more modern 4.0-liter V6 making 251 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque." While the numbers reveal that none of the engines is really blistering (Edmunds says that the 4.0-liter can propel the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country "from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds, which is rather quick for a minivan"), the Cars.com reviewer is impressed by the 4.0-liter V-6 engine, stating that it "imbues the Town & Country with confidence at any speed, and it has a muscular snarl in situations where the 3.8-liter V-6 starts wheezing." Motor Trend adds that the biggest V-6 moves the Town & Country "with relative authority when the gas pedal is buried on the floor." ConsumerGuide disagrees, reporting that the 3.8-liter engine boasts "sufficient power for around-town driving," although they concede that the 3.3-liter is "overwhelmed by the Town & Country's approximately 4300-pound curb weight." Kelley Blue Book agrees, advising that they would "look elsewhere in the segment before settling for the 175-horsepower base V6."

The 2010 Chrysler Town Country offers a good compromise between comfort and handling—just avoid the base V-6 and four-speed shifter.

Two different transmissions are offered for the three trim levels, and all models except for the base Town & Country come with a six-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, all Town & Country vans come exclusively in front-wheel drive. Cars.com reports that "both uplevel engines have six-speed automatics," while the base V-6 is stuck "with a four-speed automatic—a weak combination for a two-ton minivan." Although the four-speed is nothing special, ConsumerGuide is suitably impressed with the six-speed, finding it "is quick to shift as needed but can change gears harshly at low speed." Car and Driver simply calls the four-speed "regrettable."

For a heavy minivan, the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country offers respectable fuel economy—especially in its range-topping variant that offers decent power and fuel economy. Official EPA estimates for the Town & Country are that the 3.3-liter V-6 will get 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, while the 3.8-liter offering returns 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, and the 4.0-liter gets an impressive 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway. Overall, Motor Trend reports an "8 percent increase in fuel economy" for the Chrysler Town & Country lineup compared to the previous generation of Town & Country models.

Out on the open road, reviewers are impressed with the composure and handling of the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country, although its soft suspension can make the drive seem a little isolated and distant. Cars.com reviewers praise the steering, noting that it "delivers a natural, well-weighted feel at higher speeds." Kelley Blue Book says "you might appreciate the Chrysler minivans' balance between highway comfort and around-town responsiveness." Stopping power is equally impressive, with Kelley Blue Book noting "much-improved...braking response" for the Chrysler Town & Country—although Forbes finds that "the annoyingly squishy pedal feel of Chrysler vans remains." The suspension also impresses ConsumerGuide, which remarks that the Chrysler Town & Country has "impressive road isolation, with even large bumps taken with poise."